英国首相布朗在议会宣布，英国政府将推出房贷延期计划，允许因经济危机而被裁员的英国人延期支付房贷利率，延期时间最长可达到两年。

这项计划预计将可以影响到40万英镑的贷款偿付，令众多因失业或收入锐减的英国人有了喘息的机会。计划的具体细则还没有出台，但媒体评论说，此举主要归功于政府和房贷的贷款方达成的一致。其实，贷款银行也不希望直接从人民手中收走房屋，如果政府可以暂时买单，等借款人有了偿还能力时再还，无疑有利于市场和人心的稳定。

英国的建设部部长Margaret Beckett也表示，这项计划将使九千个家庭从中受益。

Brown unveils mortgage help plan

Many people hit by the downturn will be able to defer part of their mortgage interest payments for up to two years under plans unveiled by Gordon Brown.

The plan is designed to give those who lose their jobs or suffer a big cut in income extended breathing space if they are facing repossession.

The scheme will cover mortgages worth up to £400,000.

The full details of the scheme have yet to emerge, but it is understood the government will underwrite interest payments, which will then have to be repaid in full at a date to be agreed with the lender.

Housing minister Margaret Beckett said an estimate from the lenders involved suggested the scheme could benefit about 9,000 families.

Source: BBC News

（信息来源: BBC新闻，英国使馆文化教育处）